Blues too good for Bay

Rhys Howell

Whitby Town secured three vital points in their bid to beat the drop when they won 2-0 at home to Colwyn Bay.

Saturday’s success at the Turnbull Ground saw the 21st-placed Blues move to within one point of safety, while they also have a game in hand over Stamford, the team directly above them in the Evo-Stik Premier Division standings.

Dave McTiernan fires home the opening goal of the game

And manager Chris Hardy believes that anything other than a victory over their relegation rivals from across the Welsh border could well have been terminal for his side’s chances of staying in the division.

“Three points was the order of the day and I don’t think that anything other than that would have done in terms of our bid to stay in the league,” he said.

“If we hadn’t picked up a positive result then you can start to get down on your luck and feel sorry for yourselves, but we’ve managed to win and I’m massively pleased with that.”

Defeat for 20th-placed Stamford at Buxton also came as a boost for Hardy, who added: “It closes that gap, and gives us the belief that if we go on a bit of a run then we get out of the bottom four.”

Anthony Hume leads a Whitby charge

The Blues got off to a fine start against Bay when Dave McTiernan fired them ahead with just five minutes on the clock.

Their lead was doubled eight minutes before half-time when a fine left-footed volley from Andy McWilliams’ found the back of the visitors’ net.

“The early goal eased the nerves and gave us something to build on,” Hardy continued.

“In the opening 45 minutes we went about our business in a productive manner, creating chances and looking assured defensively.